Hair clamp and supporting bracket



1933- G. FREUDENBERG ET AL 2,141,385

HAIR CLAMP AND SUPPORTING BRACKET Filed Nov. 27, 1956 INVENTORS 4 5 I BY8/ I Mwm am fl A RNEYS II n Patented Dec. 27, 1938 STATES I HAIR CLAMP AND SUPPORTING BRACKET .Gotthard Freudenberg, Otto Seiter, and Arthur A. Boll, New York, N. Y.-, .assignors to The Nestle-Le Mur Company, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of Ohio Application November 27, 1936, Serial No. 113,020

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a mechanism to be employed in hair waving, particularly as practiced in what is commonly termed in the art as the spiral method. In accordance with this method the strand of hair has a clampapplied thereto close to the head, and the strand projecting therethrough is wound on a curling rod in the form substantially of a helix, the winding proceeding from a point adjacent to the head or clamp and continuing outwardly toward the outer end of the curling rod. After the strand is secured on this rod, as by tying with a piece of string, a pad containing an appropriate solution is applied, and over this is applied the heating shell or iron.

The normal and appropriate position for these rods is to extend at substantially right angles to the head, but owing to their length and weight they normally would lop down against the head int-o awkward position and exert a discomforting and undesirable strain on the hair and the head of the subject. In the case where heaters of the overhead suspended canopy type are employed, there is normally a means for adjusting the length of the connecting cord, and after this is done the outer ends of the rods and heaters will be supported by the cord in the approximately desired position so long as there is no change in position of the subject.

The present invention, however, provides a support for the curling rod which is independent of any overhead support and is effective at all times to hold the curling irons in the desired position, extending at substantially right angles to the head of the subject, rendering unnecessary any auxiliary mechanism. This is of especial importance and advantage in connection with the process of hair waving, in which the heater devices are individually detachable clamps. In accordance with such process the clamps are preheated on rods in a separate cabinet and then applied individually to the coils of hair entirely free of any overhead canopy means. Heaters of this nature are disclosed in the co-pending application Serial No. 86,770, filed June 23, 1936. When these heaters are utilized in spiral hair waving there is added to the weight of the curling rod itself that of the heater clamp, normally augmenting the tendency to sag and the strain on the hair and head of the subject.

The present invention is remarkably adapted to remedy this condition and to hold the curling rods with their added weight in proper distended position and distinctly separated from each other. Previous. attempts have been made to provide a support for spiral hair waving mechanism, but which have not proven satisfactory for all conditions, such as being inadequate, 'slow in operation, and uncomfortable to the subject.

In its more general aspects the present device comprises a bracket adapted to fit against the head in non-rocking position and having means whereby it can be engaged around a strand of hair and clamped into position. A very fine adjustment is provided in the clamping means. The locking means therefor is of a relatively positive character free of any backlash, assuring the hair being securely held therein, with the bracket close to the head of the subject and preventing uncomfortable strains on the scalp during the winding and tightening of the hair.

The adapter bracket has an opening into which the curling rod may be quickly inserted, and after the hair is wound thereon the rod may be given an additional twisting motion to effect a final tightening of the coiled strand of hair. This is made possible by a resilient one-way clutch mechanism which permits rotation of the rod in the tightening direction, but prevents any h retrograde movement of the curling rod, securely holding it in its tightened position. After the heating operation has taken place, this same clutch mechanism may be released by light manual pressure on an appropriate lever enabling the curling rod to be readily withdrawn.

During the entire operation the mechanism is self-supporting in a definitely fixed position projecting in a radial direction from the head of the subject and is well capable of supporting the weight of the heater without any uncomfortable pulling on the hair; and the maintenance of the desired position, and the general character of the mechanism as a whole, insures the treatment of the hair to a point very closely adjacent the head of the subject. At the completion of the heating and cooling operation the curling rod and adapter may be easily and quickly separated, and both released from the hair without any awkward twisting of the mechanism, thus avoiding uncomfortable strains on the scalp, and other conditions resulting in discomfort to the subject.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of which invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view looking down on the device with the upper plate removed;

Fig. 2 is a side view taken on the line -22 of Fig. 1 with certain parts broken away and shown in cross section;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan View of the complete assembly; and V Fig- 5 is a top plan view showing the clamp in effective position. 7

The clamp and curling rod support comprises generally a base plate I0 and a top plate ll, be-

tween which are mounted the clamping member 7 I2 and the locking member I3. Each of these latter two members is adapted to oscillate on, its respective supporting shaft. The base and top plate are provided with openings in alignment adapted to receive the curling rod or mandrel I l. The two main plates I0 and II are maintained in spaced relation by suitable formations as here shown, comprising small bosses I5 on the base plate and I 6 on the .top'plat'e, and having an annular spacer- I'I inserted between the opposed bosses I5 and I6. 'Rivets'or screw bolts I8 extend through the opposed plates and the respective in In the construction shown tervening spacer I'I. there are three of these spaced connecting means for holding the two plates in assembled relation.

The lower and upper plates I0 and I I are preferably made of a plastic material, such as Bakelite,.which is relatively non-conductive to heat. The base plate I9 is provided with depending legs I9 integral therewith. There are three of these in number, thereby insuring a non-rocking support of the bracket as a whole against the head of the subject. A downwardly depending outer reenforcing rib 20' is also provided on the base plate, which rib merges with the supporting legs I9. The upper plate member 'II also has an' outwardly extending reenforcing rib or flange 2! around the outer edge thereof, and as shown employed in accordance with common practice, as for example, a rod which is hollowed out in its intermediate portion. The outer end of the curling rod I4 is preferably knurled at 24 to facilitate the rotation thereof particularly in the final tightening of the strands of hair wound thereon. 7

As noted above, the upper plate I I is provided with a radial notch 22, and the base plate likewise has an aligning notch or passage 25, as shown for example in Fig. 1. This notch is normally open as shown in Fig. 4 and permits the insertion'of a.

strand of hair therein in a lateral direction. This radial notch extends to a point closely adjacent the aperture designed to receive the end of the curling rod I4 to insure that the curling treatment approaches closely to the roots of the hair.

The clamping member I2 is oscillatably mounted on the shaft 21. around the supporting shaft of the clamp member I2 has one end at 29 connected to the base plate I 0 and the other end connected at 30 to the clamp member I2. This spring normally urges the clamp member to the open position as shown in Fig. 4. The locking member I3 is oscillatably mounted on the supporting shaft 3| as shown particularly in' Fig. '1, and this likewise is normally biased by a spring 32 similar to the spring 28 of the clamp member. This spring 32 normally urges the locking member I3 in a clockwise di ection in Fig. l to the locking position. When the clamping member I2is openthe'n the locking A spring 28 spirallywound' member I3 will assume the position shown in Fig. 4 in which it has receded entirely into the space between the plates, and there is no projecting end which may be carelessly or inappropriately grasped. The locking member I3 has a projecting flange or edge portion comprising a cam 33 of increasing radius or height, adapted to engage (the outer arcuate edge 34 of the clamp member The arrangement is such, therefore, that 1 when the clamp member is moved into the hair clamping position where the edge 35 is engaged by the cam 33 .of the locking member I3, it is automatically locked by friction and a compound wedging action between the edges 35 and 33. This automatic locking action is enhanced and made more positiveif one or the other or both edges are roughened or provided with formations of a fine sharp character. In the preferred form shown the cam edge 33 of the locking member is provided with fine saw teeth 35 sloping in the manner shown with a tendency, to cut into the edge of the edge 34 under the counter clockwise force imposed on'the clamping member in Fig. l. Preferably also these teeth are of hardened material, with the clamping member made of a relatively soft material such as aluminum.

The clamping member I2 has an upturned end portion 36 to facilitate its manual operation into the clamping position. 'In normal operation, after the strand of hair has been inserted in the aligning notches 22 and 25 of the supporting plates, the clamp member I2 is rotated manually to a position correspondingsubstantially to that shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the strand of hair occupyin the opening 37 and being clamped therein.

As the clamp member I2 is brought to this position the toothed cam 33, by reason of the spring pressure exerted thereon, automatically engages the outer surface 34 of the clamp member I2 and locks it in position. It will be seen that, by reason of the increasing radius of the cam 33, any tendency of the clamp member I2 'to open enhances, through the wedging characteristics of the construction, the effectiveness of the locking I means. Furthermore, the character of the looking means is such that the clamp member I2 will remain in the exact position to which it is adjusted, with no appreciable backlash or retrograde movement when the manual pressure thereon is released. 'The locking member I3 is provided with an elongated finger 38, which projects exteriorly of the supporting bracket from between the two plates Ifi'and II when in effective position; The application of 'manual pressure on the projecting lever 38 will rotate the locking member in a counter clockwise direction, thereby releasing the clamp member I2 and allowing it to snap open under the urging of spring 28, and permitting the ready removal of the device from the hair.

Referring now to the means for supporting the 'curling rod I 6, the curling rod as shown has a reduced end portion 39 as shown particularly in Fig. 3, and providing a shoulder 40 which engages against the boss M of the'upper plate member II. The main supporting bracket is provided with a means'comprising, in substance, a oneway acting slip clutch adapted to engage the inner 7 end 39 of the curling rod I4. This means comprises, in the main, a coil spring 42 adapted to engage around the curling rod end 39. One end of the spring 42 is anchored in the base plate II at 43; the opposite end of the spring terminates in a loop portion 44, which as shown is more or less heater may be of any suitable type.

free, and adapted to be manually engaged. When the spring assumes its natural position the opening through the coils is slightly smaller than. the rod end 39. Accordingly when the rod is inserted, these coils automatically grip the end of the rod. frictionally and resist the withdrawal thereof. This spring has the additional function of automatically clamping onthe rod to prevent rotation of the rod in a counter clockwise direction in Fig. 1, but permitting free rotation in the clockwise direction. This results, it will be seen, from the fact that the counter clockwise direction has a tendency to close the coils of the spring and increase the frictional engagement, Whereas rotation in the clockwise direction tends to enlarge the loops of the coil engaging the end 39. :By reason of this characteristic, therefore, the curling rod may be rotated freely in a direction to tighten the hair thereon, but automatically prevents any reverse rotation which wouldloosen the hair on the curling rod. It will be seen that the loop 44 projects radially outward from the main supporting bracket from between the plates l0 and l I and that shifting of the outer loop end 44 to the left in Fig. 1 will serve to free the end of the curling rod and permit its reverse rotation in the unwinding direction and the ready withdrawal thereof.

The operation and construction may be indicated more clearly perhaps by describing a typical application and use of the device. For example, a strand of hair having been prepared, is preferably passed through a thin sheet of absorbent material and is then drawn into the radial notched openings of the plates of the main bracket support, and the bracket as a whole adjusted to position With the legs [9 bearing firmly against the head, resting on the absorbent sheet. The clamp member I! is then adjusted to its clamping positions, such as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, with the strand of hair passing outwardly through the opening 31. The curling rod I4 is inserted in position and the hair wound in helical fashion therealong, beginning at a point closely adjacent the upper plate H. The outer end of the strand of hair is then suitably fastened. If desired, another sheet of absorbent material may then be threaded over the curling rod moved adjacent the upper plate I I. The knurled portion 24 of the curling rod is then grasped and rotated in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1 to tighten the coiled strand of hair to the desired degree. After this the desired solutions and pads are applied over the hair. The heater is then applied, which The construction, however, is particularly advantageous in connection with the use of heaters of the socalled pre-heater type, which comprise merely opposed arcuate heater members which have been previously raised to an effective temperature from being clamped over a heated rod. Such type heaters have no overhead supporting means and must therefore be supported entirely by the curling rod means. The present support is exceptionally adapted for this purpose. After the heating treatment has been completed the heater clamp and outer wrappings are removed, and the remaining mechanism, comprising that disclosed herein, may then be quickly and easily removed from the head with a minimum of time and with no discomfort to the subject. This operation is effected by pressing on the spring end 44 which releases the rod I4 permitting the curls to fall loosely from the rod l4, and following this pressure is applied to the finger 38 releasing the clamp member l2 and the supporting bracket is slipped from off the strand of hair. The rod and bracket it will be seen, therefore, are removable as independent elements separated from each other. The curling mechanism is capable of being applied and removed with a minimum of time and effort.

It will be noted that in the above description the element upon which the hair is wound is referred to as a curling rod, but it will be understood that such terminology contemplates any element of a suitable nature adapted to the reception of the hair in coiled condition. Also references are made in the specification and claims to the bracket being applied to or supported on the head. In this connection it will be understood that this is not to be strictly construed, but means only that the base member is applied in such a manner so as to receive its support from the head and that there may be, for example, intervening layers of hair, and if desired, a sheet of absorbent material.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a hair waving mechanism a curling rod and a supporting bracket therefor, means for clamping a strand of hair in said bracket, and having an opening permitting insertion and withdrawal of the curling rod in the axial direction of the rod, means for securing the curling rod in said opening, and means for quickly releasing said securing means.

2. In a mechanism for spiral hair waving, a curling rod, and a support for the inner end thereof, comprising a bracket adapted to rest against the head and having an opening to receive and support the inner end of said rod with the unsupported end extending therefrom, and a helically wound resilient member adapted releasably to engage said end.

3. An adapter for spiral hair Waving mechanism, comprising a base adapted to rest against the head and having an opening therein for axially receiving a curling rod extending therefrom in endwise direction and permitting the ready insertion or Withdrawal of said rod in the direction of the axis of the rod, means for clamping a strand of hair in said adapter, means for looking a curling rod in said opening against withdrawal, and means for rendering said looking means inoperative to permit withdrawal of said rod.

4. A curling rod support comprising a base having an opening therein adapted to receive and permit the insertion of an end of the rod in an axial direction, a resilient clamp engageable with the end of the rod to secure it in position, and means for releasing said clamp.

5. A curling rod support comprising a base, having an opening therein adapted to receive the end of the rod, a helical spring means adapted automatically to engage the rod and clamp it in position, and means for releasing said spring means at will to permit the ready removal of the rod.

6. A support for spiral hair waving mechanism, comprising a bracket adapted to be applied to from the head, a resilient means automatically engageable around the rod end upon insertion of the rod and adapted thereupon normally to restrain the rod from rotation in an unwinding direction, but to permit rotation in a winding direction.

8. In a 'hair waving mechanism a mandreLa support therefor adapted to rest against the head and having an opening therein for receiving the inner end of said mandrel withthe mandrel extending outwardly from the head, a resilient clamp-means engageable with the mandrel end for'securing it in place against withdrawal, said means being effective also to prevent rotation of said mandrel in an unwinding direction while permitting rotation in a winding direction, and means for releasing said resilient means to permit withdrawal of the mandrel;

' 9. In a hair curling mechanism a supporting bracket, an oscillatory'member carried by said bracket and adapted in adjusted position to clamp a strand of hair therein, and a resiliently biased cam adapted automatically to engage said member and lock it in adjusted position.

10. A hair 7 clamp comprising a supporting bracket, an oscillatory clamp member carried by said bracket and adapted in adjusted position to clamp a strand of hair in said bracket, a locking member having a cam of progressively increasing height adapted to engage said clamp member in its clamping position, and resilient means acting on said cam to urge it in an automatically locking position.

11. A hair clamp comprising a supporting bracket, a clamping member mounted for oscillatory movement in said bracket, said bracket and member having cooperating openings for the reception of a strand of hair, resilient means for urging said member to the open unclamped position, a locking member mounted for oscillatory movement in said bracket having a cam of progressively increasing radius adapted to engage the edge of said clamping member, resilient means adapted to urge said cam into engagement with said clamping member when in clamping position automatically to lock it in such position, and means to release said locking'member.

12. In combination a hair waving element, a supporting bracket therefor, means for releasably securing said element therein, said bracket having an opening adjacent said element for the passage of a strand of hair thereto, and means for clamping the strand in said opening comprising a member mounted for oscillation in said bracket and adapted to be adjusted into engagement with the strand in said opening and a' cam means adapted to wedgingly lock said mem ber in its clamping position, the wedging'action being automatically made more effective by any the head and having an opening fora curling rod, means. for securing a curling rod therein, 7 including an automatically operable clamp'clutch forces tending to move said member to the. unclamping position.

13. A hair clamp comprising a bracket, an oscillatory member carried by said bracket and adapted in adjustedpositi onito. clamp a strand of hair in said bracket, and a locking member therefor; one of said members having an edge portion comprising a cam of increasing height adapted to engage a cooperative surface on the other member automatically to effect a Wedging action resisting opening of said clamping memher, and a resilient means for'impositively biasing said oscillatory member to open position.

14. A hair clamp comprising a bracket, an os- V cillatoryclampm'ember carried by said bracket and adapted in adjusted position to'clamp a strand of hair therein, an oscillatory locking said base adapted releasably to engage said rod end upon insertion in said opening.

16. In a 'hair waving mechanism, a curling rod and a supporting base, and means for releasably securing said rod on said base comprising a stud and a helical spring member engageable around the stud, said spring automatically clamping around the stud frictionally to resist withdrawal of the stud in an axial direction. 7

1'7. In a hair waving mechanism, a curling rod member and a supporting member therefor and means for releasably securing said rod on said base, comprising a coiled spring mounted in one of said members, and a circular portion carried by the other member, said'spring being adapted under its normal tension to engage and frictionally hold said circular portion; and manually operable means eifective to vary said coils to relieve saidfrictional engagement.

18. In a hair waving mechanism, a curling rod, a supporting base therefor, having an opening for receiving an end of said rod, and means for releasably securing the rod end in said opening, comprising a coiled spring adapted to engage around and irictionally clamp said rod end, said spring having a free end, and means for manually operating said free end to open the coils to relieve the engagement of said coils around said rod end.

19. A hair clamp comprising a bracket, an oscillatory member carried by said bracket and adapt ed to be adjusted manually to any selected closed hair-clampingposition within a substantial range of such positions, spring biasing means arranged to urge said member to the open position, a wedging cam means automatically operable to wedge and hold said member in theselected closed 'position, and manually operable means for re- CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. H Patent No. 2 ,1h1,585. December 27, 19

GOTTHARD FREUDENBERG, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page L first column, line 5, claim 6, strike out the word "clutch"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein thatv the same may conform to the record of the case in the. Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of February, A. D. 1959.

Henry. Van Arsdale. (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

